2006 wrx transmission fluid suggestions

Wondering what everyone is running in the 5mt trannies in there wrx's. Currently have Lucas 75/90 and it sucks. Gettin some grinding into 4th if i shift too fast.

 

Extra-s

 

No wrx but I use redline

 

http://www.amazon.com/Subaru-75W90-...qid=1362883815&sr=1-1&keywords=extra-s+subaru
Get some off amazon

 

Dealer is wayyyyyyy cheaper

 

Ok. Now with the extra sssss. I seem to have heard it's good for the STI 6 speed all over. But haven't heard much about it in the 5 speed. And I know JJ and Broco both got the 6 speed.

 

I ran it in my 5spd before I swapped as well.

 

Mkay. Well. Next oil change that's what's goin in. Thanks guys.

 

Mkay. So I've been working 60-70 hour weeks, and haven't had time to hit up a dealership to get any extra s. And the Lucas lube was getting worse and worse, especially after driving for 30+ minutes, goin from 3rd to 4th would always grind. So I ended up putting Royal Purple 75/90 in my tranny in hopes it would help. First day I noticed no improvement, still grinded goin into 4th. Only on upshifts. Never had a grind on a 5 to 4 down shift. does that seem weird?
. But for 2 days now, no grinds, but i have only put on 15 miles in 2 days.

 

You're doing it wrong.

 

I just changed my tranny fluid on my 07 wrx wagon. I used Motul 300. so far so good.

 

At least you didn't put in Scotty's cocktail.

 

I heard that recommended on NASIOC - has there been problems with it?

 

No definitive evidence people have blamed tranny problems on it while I've heard people running it no issues for 130k+ miles.

 

I had Mobil 1 in my car when purchased. The car has a LW Flywheel, so it made diff whine on decel and was a little clicky going into gear.
I swapped the Mobil 1 for Uncle Scotty's, and the transmission became smoother than butter and had absolutely no whine on decel anymore. For about 12 hours. After the first day, the transmission behaved exactly as it did on Mobil 1.
After a year, I swapped out Uncle Scotty's for the Andrewtech cocktail (I think it was 3 quarts of Redline Lightweight and .9 Qt of Motul 300 or something). On Andrewtech, the shifting became noteably smoother (though not perfect, the transmission had 150K miles on it by then), the diff whine on decel became less noticable, and I could shift into 1st at 15mph or slower as long as I rev-matched and double-clutched (not possible before at any speeds).
A lot of recommendations are heresay and based on personal preference and way too many variables, but I had good experience with the Andrewtech mix.

 

Any recommendations? Is extra s the best route? Seems you have a vast range of knowledge/experience with Subaru. I plan on changing the fluid again soon, I just needed to get the Lucas out before more problems occurred, and my options were slim.

 

something, something, extra-s......

 

Is that extra s dino? Or synthetic?

 

Not at all. Just was interested to know, more or less just to know.

 

Subaru Extra-S 75W90 is non-synthetic

 

Word! I am a little disappointed that when I asked St.Cloud Subaru what trans lube to run, they didn't mention Extra-s. And on fact told me that ANY synthetic lube will suffice

 

another reason why NOT to use St. Cloud Subaru.

 

There are a few dealers out there who parts departments have no idea about anything performance for our vehicles. I asked Duluth Subaru about xtra-s one time and they denied it existed.

 

Just because they are a Subaru dealership does not mean they know a wrench from a whale's vagina. The Rochester dealership (Clements) knows so little about Subarus or cars in general that I'm legitimately amazed they can even find the steering wheel, let alone know what specific fluids would be best to use. And, let's be honest, testing and researching specific fluids and brands to find the perfect one for an engine or transmission is really, really nerdy.

 

Bingo.

Nevertheless, I hardly trust what any one person tells me/recommends and I also research any parts, recommendations, etc with multiple sources. I've had some very trustworthy references provide less than perfect advice. I do however have a high level of trust with the parts guys at Morries Minnetonka.

Just like measuring...research twice, execute once!

My vote is for Extra S, which I have run in all my Subaru's. I've had good, long life on the fluid, and overall happy with it

 

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. I guess my other question, besides my fluid brand, is any reason why I never got grinds on a down shift? Only an up shift? And why only on 4th gear? My first assumption is a 4tg gear synchro goin out, but wouldn't it then grind on downshifts too?

 

I was selling extra S before it was cool. Brian B and I are the ones that got our manager to let us break up a barrel of extra S, one of the best decisions we've ever made, thats why we stock many many gallons of it now. It is NOT what we put into our cars that come into our shop though. However, if you want to get a trans service done you MUST SPECIFY which fluid you want us to use. I just cracked the top of a fresh bucket yesterday, it smelled amazing.

 

Back to the question about grinds on 3-4 up-shifts. Could this be fluid related or is the 4th gear synchro leaving? I ask because my 5mt exhibits the same symptoms. Any opinions?

 

Your synchro is failing.

 

But why has it not done it once in my 5-10 mile trips I have taken every day this week? Or never on a 5-4 downshift. That is the part that confuses me.

 

I am experiencing the exact same thing. No grinds on a cold trans, never grinds on a down shift. I am going to do a fluid change, but I don't think I am lucky enough with transmissions to have it not be a bad synchro...doh

 

Syncros are like brake pads. Every time you use it, it's degrading in a slight way. Different fluids will change its behavior depending on viscosity and shear factors, but ultimately once you start to experience a slight grind in regular circumstances, it is on the downhill side of its life. You can prolong it from catastrophic failure by changing fluids on regular intervals or running high-quality fluids, but it happens because it is worn.

I'll provide an anecdote:
Last year I raced with a team that ran a 94 Miata. The transmission was hard to shift when cold and had a mild grind in 2nd and 3rd gears on the fluid it came with. We changed the fluid out for Motorcraft lifetime fluid and all grinds went away. The transmission was also smooth as butter to shift regardless of temperature. The fluid didn't magically restore the syncros, it just provided a better environment for them to function in while in their worn state. The fluid also cost a metric buttload, so I can only imagine it was formulated from gypsy tears.

 

Turns out St.Cloud Subaru doesn't even have Extra-S. They suck!

 

Lol. Nuke is gonna hook me up.

 

Well I changed out the gear oil that was in my 5mt for xtra-s. It appears to have, at least temporarily, solved my grinding issue. I'll have to wait and see if it lasts.

 

Here is a fun story about my L (which after 9 years I still havent torn into the trans) When it got hot it had grinds in 1-2-3, switched to syn 75w90, it made it 10X worse, switched to straight GM syncromesh, solved EVERY grind, ran that for roughly 4 times longer than I should have. After many years I changed it out for some 80w90 dino oil right before the last time I went to an ice race, been fine ever since. I'm not saying do what I did, (things I've done to this car should NEVER be tried, mostly because its a freak of nature that seems to heal itself) because its probably very very bad, but since my impreza turned from my pride and joy to a total ****box in those 9 years, and I just dont care anymore.